Electric gas-lighter.



R. F. DOWDY.

ELECTRIC GAS LIGHTER. APPLICATION FILED FEB 26. 1915.

1 ,1 59,908, Patented Nov. 9, 1915.

l vmumo w MOM ROY F. DO WDY. 01E ROANOKE, VIRGINIA.

ELECTRIC GAS-LIGHTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented v. 9, 1915.

Application filed February 26, 1915. Serial No. 10.803.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ROY F. Downy, a citizen of the United States, residing at Roanoke, in the county of Roanoke and State of Virginia, have invented certain new .and useful Improvements in Electric Gas- Lighters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention pertains to electric gas lighters and the object thereof is to provide means from an ordinary alternating electric light circuit and appliances to be used in connection therewith whereby an electric spark may be conveniently and safely obtained therefrom at the gas burner.

The invention therefore consists in the arrangement and connection of the various parts and in the improved formation of certain of the elements used, all as will be herein described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of the lighting unit which forms the principal portion of my invention, and Fig. 2 is a diagram indicating the method of connecting and using the device.

Referring to these drawings wherein like parts are similarly designated wherever shown, 1 represents the lighting unit of my device. This consists primarily of a tubular insulating handle 2, a bank of electrical resistance 3, a metallic leaf spring 4, a push, button 5 and an electrode 6.

Through the rear end of the handle 2 I provide an opening 7 and through this opening is threaded a single electric conductor or wire-8. Within the cavity of the handle the wire is electrically connected to the back endof resistance unit 3 and to the front end of this unit is attached mechanically and electrically the one end of a metallic leaf spring I which serves as an electric conductor.

The front end of the handle 2 is closed by means of the plug 9 which is attached to the said handle by means of the screw threaded portion 10. Extending through an opening longitudinally in the plug 9 and secured in this opening is an electrode 6 which I preferably make' of carbon. When the plug 9 is screwed into the handle 2 it will be seen that the electrode 6 is disposed partly within and partly without the cavity of the handle 2 and the internal portion thereof is adjacent the free end of the leaf spring 4-, but not normally in contact therewith.

When the leaf spring l is depressed to contact the inner end of the electrode (3, the said electrode provides a safe and convenient means for conveying the electrical current from the inside of the handle to the outside thereof where it may be applied to its intended use.

Disposed immediately over the leaf spring i and extending through the material of the handle 2 is a hole 11. Disposed througl'i the hole 11 is a push button 5, the same having an enlarged portion at its base. Thus the upper portion of this push button will pass through and be accommodated by the hole 11 while the enlarged portion serves to prevent the entire button from passing through this hole. The push button is made of m sulating material and simply rests on the leaf spring and is not secured thereto, and it is positioned on this leaf spring between the ends thereof so that pressure on the external portion of the button will deflect the spring and cause the free end to contact the adjacent inner end of the electrode.

In assembling this device the wire 8 is passed entirely through the handle 2 and the resistance unit and leaf spring there attached to it. The push button is then inserted in the hole 11 from the inside and the resistance unit and spring drawn back within the handle. The application of the screwed plug and electrode to the outer end com-v pletes the assembling for when so applied the internal parts will all be held in proper working position. In order to prevent the push button from being accidentally de; pressed in case this lighting unit should be laid down with its weight on the push button, I provide the raised rim on the external portion of the handle around the hole 11.

In use I attach the wire 8 to the one side of the alternating electric unit within reach of the gas burner. The other wire of the lighting system I ground, and I make certain that the gas pipe leading to the burner is also properly buried in the ground. By now turning on the gas and bringing the electrode to touch the metal of the gas burner, at the same time momentarily depressing the push button, a spark will occur that will ignite the gas. The current passing through the resistance 3 not only prevents short circuiting the current but also while current is flowing reduces the voltage at the electrode to a safe degree. Likewise, the grounding of the one side of v the electric circuit and of the gas pipe is more safe than simply connecting that side of'the circuit thereto'and more safe than bringing the two sides of the circuit in contact .at the burner.

' connected to the gas stove without theinter- .etc. It is evident that those skilled in theart might make alterations within the scope of the claims without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In an electric gas lighter, a tubularhandle, a bank of electrical resistance within said handle, an electrode contained partly within and partly without the said handle, a metallic leaf spring secured at one end to the said resistance bank and having electrical contact therewith, the other end of the said leaf-spring beingadjacent the inner end of the said electrode and normally out of contact therewith, an opening through the tubular portion of said handle, and a push button protruding through the said opening, the said push button being disposed For with alternating circuits it is evident that if the one side were over the said leaf spring and being adapted, when depressed from the exterior, to deflect the free end of the said leaf spring into contact with the inner'end of the said electrode. 1 2. In an electric gas lighter, an alternating electrical circuit having the one side thereof grounded, a gas burner having a metalJic connection with the ground, a tubular handle having a bank of electrical'resistance contained within one end thereof, and having an electrical connection through the end I of the said handle and extending from the other side of the said. electrical circuit to the said resistance, an. electrode extending through the opposite end of the'said handle and being disposed partly within and partly without the same, a metallic leaf spring disposed within the said handle and being secured at one end to the said resistance and having electrical contact therewith, the

' other end of said leaf spring being free and being disposed adjacent but notnormally in contact with the internal portion of the said electrode, a push button extending through the wall of the said handle and being adapted when depressed to deflect the free end of the said leaf sprin into contact with the inner end of the sai electrode.

In testimon whereof, I afix my signature in presence 0 two witnesses.-

.ROY F. DOWDY.

Witnesses:

- J. W. BONDU'RANT,

F. A. Smcmm. 

